Homemade Cleaners for Your Carpet

No matter how clean the rest of your house is, if your carpet isn't clean, your home with be plagued by unpleasant odors. A dirty carpet can also contribute to certain health problems, both of those who live in your household, and those just visiting.

Commercial carpet cleaners can be pretty costly. But using a few simple, inexpensive household products, you can create homemade cleaners that will keep your carpet clean and smelling fresh.

Homemade Cleaner #1: Steam Carpet Cleaner

Commercial carpet cleaners and rug shampoos can be expensive, especially if you buy the ones "especially made" for your steam cleaner. Even buying generic brands can cost you a pretty penny.

Fortunately, a homemade cleaner made with inexpensive white vinegar can clean your carpet, and leave it smelling fresh.

White distilled vinegar, a common ingredient in homemade cleaners, is a natural odor neutralizer and odor absorber. It also disinfects, and cuts through dirt and detergent residue, meaning it will remove traces left by previous cleanings. And you don't have to worry about this homemade cleaner leaving your house smelling like vinegar for long. As the carpet dries, the vinegar smell will fade and disappear.

Create a solution of 2 and a half gallons of water and one or two cups of white distilled vinegar. Add this homemade cleaner to your steam cleaner up to the fill line, and steam clean your carpet as you normally would.

You'll be amazed by how much dirt this homemade cleaner will get out of your carpet, and without the detergents and chemicals found in commercial carpet cleaner. And, as the vinegar solution dries, your carpet will be left smelling fresh and clean.

Homemade Cleaner #2: Stain and Pet Urine Remover

This homemade cleaner will come in handy if you have dogs or cats. It's also good for getting up other stains, like coffee, wine, beer, and ketchup.

In a jar or spray bottle (so the homemade cleaner will be on hand to use again) combine equal parts water and white distilled vinegar. After using a paper towel to blot up (never rub) as much moisture as you can, spray the homemade cleaner on the stain, and let stand for about ten minutes. Then, using another paper towel, blot up the vinegar solution. If this doesn't remove all of the stain the first time, repeat the process until the stain is gone.

Homemade Cleaner #3: Greasy Stain Remover

To remove oily or greasy stains, try this homemade cleaner.

Sprinkle baking soda or cornstarch on the stain, which will absorb the grease or oil. Let stand overnight, or at least for six hours. Then, vacuum.

You don't have to spend lots of money, or use lots of chemicals, to keep your carpet clean. These homemade cleaners will do the job commercial cleaners will, and for much less.